Illumination Theatre Productions' opening night performance of SORDID LIVES will include a special appearance by the play's author Del Shores. Shores, an award-winning producer, writer, director and actor, will attend the opening night performance at 7:30 p.m., Friday July 26 at the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver. The show will be followed by a VIP reception where audience members will have a chance to meet and visit with the author.

"I'm thrilled to be coming to Denver for the Illumination Theatre Productions' staging of my play SORDID LIVES," said Shores. "It's always wonderful to celebrate live theatre and see my characters and stories have new life!"

The VIP tickets will include preferred seating for the show as well as admittance to the post-show reception with Mr. Shores, and are available for $30. The evening will also include a silent auction of items from Mr. Shores' personal collection, including play scripts and DVD's of his films and TV series. Mr. Shores will then sign each item personally to the individuals who purchase them. VIP tickets as well as tickets to all performances of SORDID LIVES are available at illuminationtheatre.ticketleap.com/sordid-lives/.

In addition to his opening night appearance, Mr. Shores will spend Saturday, July 27 teaching two master classes. The 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. early session will be an audition workshop titled GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND TRUST YOUR GUT!, and the 2-6 p.m. acting class is titled ADVANCED FILM SCENE STUDY WORKSHOP. Each session will be limited to 12 participants, with a fee of $125 per class or $200 for both sessions. For more information or to register for the classes, go to illuminationtheatre.ticketleap.com/del-shores-master-classes/.

"We are so excited and honored to have Del coming for our opening night of SORDID LIVEs," said Illumination Theatre Productions' Producer Dale Haltom. "It is a dream come true to be producing this show and now to have Del here, both for opening night and to teach his master classes, is beyond our wildest dreams."

Mr. Shores is the writer/director/producer of the films SORDID LIVES, BLUES FOR WILLADEAN and the upcoming SOUTHERN BAPTIST SISSIES. He wrote and executive produced the MGM feature DADDY'S DYIN'... WHO'S GOT THE WILL? All of his films are based on his award-winning plays. In television, he wrote, directed, executive produced and created the LOGO series, SORDID LIVES: THE SERIES. He also wrote and executive produced Showtime's groundbreaking QUEER AS FOLK for the last three seasons, wrote and produced for DHARMA & GREG, NED & STACEY and TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL. He has directed Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer; Grammy Award winner Olivia Newton-John; Emmy winners/nominees Beau Bridges, Delta Burke, Leslie Jordan, Bonnie Bedelia, Bobbie Eakes, Patrika Darbo and Rue McClanahan; Spirit Award winner Dale Dickey; Screen Actor's Guild Award winner Beth Grant; as well as Caroline Rhea, Debby Holiday and David Steen. As a performer, Shores has performed over 150 times in his three national standup tours and stars in the upcoming film CRY.

SORDID LIVES opens Friday, July 26 and runs through Saturday, August 17, 2013. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. There will be a special late night show on Saturday, August 3 at 10:30 p.m., an Industry Night on Monday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m., and two Saturday matinees August 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Normal ticket prices are $20 Adult/ $18 for Military/Students/Seniors. Group rates are available. Performances will be held at the John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver.